Success stories after PPROM

[Mum2HC]

Pregnant with 3rd child and terrified of an early arrival!

1st pregnancy 40+4 - straight forward birth
2nd pregnancy waters broke at 35+6 out of no where, had to be induced as tested positive for group b strep and labour wasn’t starting quickly enough. Baby all fine and didn’t need any help.

I am early pregnant with 3rd and suddenly freaking out about why I am doing this and convincing myself I am going to have a really premature baby. (I know it’s hormones etc) but looking for some positive stories. I have done too much googling and convinced there must be an issue with my cervix or I’m going to get another infection etc.

Looking for positive stories and things that you think helped go longer! Thank you

Hi I an 36+3 with third baby my previous 2 were prem 36 weeks and 34weeks both spontaneous waters broke. This time round they offered me cervical scan at 20 weeks and they measured and found out its short so I have had a stitch put in. If they don't offer this for you I would ask for peace of mind :)

Yes, you should have a cervical scan bc you had a preterm baby.

I got one bc I had a lletz procedure following a abnormal Pap smear, so they offer it for lots of reasons.

my cervix measured fine and didn’t need any follow up , but if you need to, they can put a stitch or call you for more scans to see if the cervix will shorten later in pregnancy, so you don’t go into labour ahead of time.

Thank you, what happens if the cervix only shortens later on in pregnancy when it’s too late for the stitch?

I had a similar experience as you with my first dc. PPROM at 34+0 weeks, no warning, I was actually asleep in bed when I was woken by a gush! I tested positive to group strep B, dc born 36 +0. Dc1 spent a few days in hospital having IV antibiotics and I was given antibiotics during labour. I was convinced I would have the same problems with dc2, but he was born at 40+5, no issues at all. I went in to labour naturally and think I had to have my waters broken in the end.

@Mum2HC it says here it’s usually done by 24 weeks, but occasionally it can be put in later.

www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/cervical-stitch-patient-information-leaflet/

if you get repeated scans they will see it starting to shorten so they will be able to put it in in time. Based on your history you should be under a consultant supervision anyway, and they will be able to discuss everything with you.

@Mum2HC also from the above link, under Why is it done?

You should be referred to a specialist early in your pregnancy if:

you have had a miscarriage after 16 weeks of pregnancy
you have had a previous birth before 34 weeks of pregnancy
your waters broke before 37 weeks in a previous pregnancy
you have had certain types of treatment to your cervix (for example, cone biopsy for treatment of an abnormal smear)

This is the sort of story I need to hear thank you! Did you have step the second time? Xx

Not sure if this is relevant to what you're asking but with DD2 my waters broke at 34+4. I did not have group b strep (but did have it a couple of years before) and was given steroids and a course of antibiotics. Didn't go into labour so was induced at 37 weeks and everything was fine. DD1 had been born at 40 weeks on the dot.

No, didn't have it the 2nd time, everything was fine, other than I was fed up as I was pregnant for 4 weeks and 5 days longer than the first time, and felt like I was overdue from 34 weeks (and he was nearly 10lb- that stung a bit 😳). Like you I was just so worried/convinced it would happen again. I started sweating during the summer as it was hot and got all panicky my waters had broke early again 🙄. Good luck, hope all goes well!

Thank you 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Once you have had a GBS+ diagnosis and a baby that contracted GBS, you are supposed to be offered antibiotics in any future labours (GBSS.org.uk are a great source of advice on NICE guidelines around this). I didn't have PPROM, but PROM and then DD contracted GBS sepsis, spending two weeks in NICU. I've was reassured in my birth debrief for DD1 that the chances of a second baby suffering the same outcome is unlikely if i am able to have the IV antibiotics.

Oh sorry, just reread and realised your second baby didn't test positive for GBS. Def look at the website i put above. I know they have info to help women advocate for themselves around antibiotics. As GBS is transient, could you go for an early GBS test at 34w to help inform whether antibiotics might be needed?

Is any of you using home test for PPROM? I'm using strips from QIAGEN and Parsagen diagnostics but wondering if there are alternatives.

I remember this anxiety. My waters broke at 35 weeks with my son and he was born the following day. My daughter was born at 39 weeks on the dot, after a lot of worry that she too would come early. I was having regular contractions but my waters didn’t go and I had an elective, but I suppose in labour, caesarean (during which they must have dealt with my waters somehow). I finished work around 34 weeks as I couldn’t handle the uncertainty and that helped me.

Hello, just wondered if anyone had any more positive stories? I am half way through now and feeling more worried each week! Still feels so long to go to get into the safe zone of 37 weeks!

Also I have had a cervical scan at 20 weeks which measure 5.8cm!

I have had baby 3 in Feb and all was good born at 38 weeks after 2 previous early babies

Congratulations! Did you do anything differently? How early were your first two? Do they know the reason why?

First was 36 weeks second was 34 weeks and they thought I had shortened cervix but after a second opinion it was average so not sure why really.

My waters broke at 33+6, no contractions. Was hospitalised and told if not in labour in 72 hours they'll release and monitor me. We decided against steroids as i am diabetic and was worried about the impact that would have on me and baby.

Contractions started 44 hours after waters broke (we think as they broke in my sleep so may have been earlier) and she was born bang on 48 hours later. she came out pink and screaming. APGAR scores of 9 and 10. She was perfect. Breast fed immediately and then they whisked her away to NICU but brought her back an hour later.

We ended up staying for 4 nights on the ward/own room with her by my side. She was very puffy, had jaundice (required 12 hours under the light), and had a mild infection which required 3 days of IV antibiotics. but she came home with me on Christmas day and is now thriving little toddler.

She's still very petite (but she was never gonna be a giant lol) but bright as a button.